Ducks GM: Eakins a ‘definite candidate’ for head coach

The Anaheim Ducks will wait until the offseason to name a new head coach, but general manager Bob Murray already has a potential replacement in mind.

Dallas Eakins, the coach of the AHL affiliate San Diego Gulls, will be a “definite candidate,” Murray said Sunday, according to Eric Stephens of The Athletic.

The 51-year-old has coached the Gulls since their inception ahead of the 2015-16 season and has amassed a record of 143-86-20. The team holds a 25-15-5 record this year, good for third place in the Pacific Division.

Prior to his time with the Gulls, Eakins served as the head coach of the Edmonton Oilers from 2013 to 2014. He was fired midway through his second season with the team after it started 7-19-5.

In his other AHL coaching stint, Eakins amassed a record of 157-114-41 over four seasons with the Toronto Marlies, which was highlighted by an appearance in the Calder Cup Final in 2012.

The Ducks dismissed head coach Randy Carlyle on Sunday with the team enduring a stretch during which it has lost 19 of the last 21 contests.